Paul O'Grady's best friend reveals late star's last wish for his funeral

Paul O’Grady's devastated partner Andre Portasio cradled one of his beloved pet dogs as he rode as part of the late entertainer's funeral cortege as it travelled through the village of Aldington. Andre was visibly emotional as he saw the outpouring of love and grief for his husband of five years, after locals in the village were invited to line the streets as the cortege passed. TV legend Paul, who famously portrayed the drag act Lily Savage, passed away "unexpectedly but peacefully" aged 67 on March 28 at home with Andre.

Fans of Paul O’Grady are planning a massive celebration of his life alongside the private funeral planned by the late star’s husband, Andre Portasio.The Lily Savage star passed away suddenly earlier this month in the news that shocked the nation and close friends like the Queen Consort, Camilla.The TV host had a decades-spanning career and became one of the UK’s leading TV personalities on shows like Blind Date, Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs and the Great British Escape. Andre is hosting a private ceremony in Kent on Thursday, April 20, while fan Janine Ferguson is planning an event in the star’s hometown of Birkenhead, Merseyside.

Paul O’Grady’s cause of death was sudden cardiac arrhythmia, his death certificate states. The broadcasting legend, who presented programmes including The Paul O’Grady Show, Blankety Blank and For The Love Of Dogs, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" at the age of 67. His death certificate has confirmed how Paul died, listing sudden cardiac arrhythmia – which was linked to heart disease – as the cause.

Paul O’Grady fans have been left in tears after the first episode of his hit show For the Love of Dogs aired on Thursday night, following his tragic death. After the comedian died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ at the end of March aged 67, the new series - and what will now be the last - began airing last night.

Paul O’Grady, one of the nation’s favourite presenters and TV personalities sadly passed away last month at the age of 67.The showbiz star first broke onto the scene with his drag act persona, Lily Savage, before going on to host his own talk show, plus plenty of other TV series, including a UK favourite, For The Love of Dogs. Paul’s husband, Andre Portasio announced his death in a statement, and revealed that he passed “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday 28th March.

Paul O'Grady, the star's friends praised his alter-ego Lily Savage as they recalled his path to success. Paul worked hard honing his act in front of adoring audiences in London's pubs and clubs but was eventually forced to make the "heartbreaking decision" to "give up the day job he loved" in order to progress his career. Paul settled in London where he split his time between working as a social worker in Camden and performing as Lily Savage.

Casualty star Amanda Mealing has opened up about her friendship with Paul O'Grady and shared what plans for the late TV star's funeral might look like. O'Grady died earlier this week on March 28. His husband, Andre Portasio, confirmed on March 29 that O'Grady died "unexpectedly but peacefully" the previous evening.

sad news of his death at the age of 67 broke last week. BBC's Casualty actress revealed that Paul had previously confided in her and their group of pals on how he would like friends and family to act during his funeral. Amanda told The Mirror: "Whatever happens, Paul's funeral will be a celebration of his life and it will be full of laughter.

Gloria Hunniford has revealed how Paul O'Grady teased her mercilessly about her blonde hair and dark roots - but their playful banter is something she will always fondly remember him by. The 67-year-old comedian and presenter - who died suddenly last week - was known for his quick wit and dry sense of humour. Gloria, 82, recalls being a celebrity contestant on Blankety Blank, hosted by Paul's legendary drag alter-ego Lily Savage.

O'Grady, who rose to fame on the nightclub circuit as the acerbic, platinum wig-wearing Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday evening (March 28). In the statement issued in the early hours of Wednesday morning (March 29), Mr Portasio said: "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening. We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.

Paul O'Grady's husband Andre Portasio shared the last ever photo they took together on their most recent holiday as he thanked fans for their support.

Andre Portasio has shared the final photograph of him and husband Paul O’Grady, following the TV star's death on 28 March. Andre, 41, announced that Paul had passed away in a statement shared on Wednesday, saying he'd "unexpectedly but peacefully" died at the age of 67. Dozens of fans and celebrities have paid tribute to the late star, who made his big break as Drag Queen Lily Savage, and Andre, who married Paul in 2017, has now shared a message thanking everyone for their support.

Paul O'Grady has said that the TV star "died in his own bed" with husband Andre Portasio by his side. Paul's friends, fans and loved ones were left devastated on Tuesday as Andre announced that the legendary TV personality had died "unexpectedly but peacefully," aged 67. Tributes have poured in for Paul, as many of his friends have spoken out to express shock and grief at his death, as well as their adoration for him.

ITV has revealed the air date for Paul O’Grady’s For The Love Of Dogs show following his sudden death earlier this week. National treasure and activist Paul, who made his big break as Drag Queen Lily Savage, tragically passed away on Wednesday.

LIVE – Updated at 12:40Fans, friends and colleagues are continuing to pay tribute to Paul O’Grady, who died on Tuesday evening (28 March), aged 67. Queen Camilla, Elton John, Lorraine Kelly, Piers Morgan, Joe Lycett and others from the TV industry have paid tribute, as well as MPs at PMQs on Wednesday afternoon (29 March). Dominic Raab was mocked after incorrectly paying tribute to the “incredible comic Paul Grayson”, instead of Paul O’Grady.

Paul O'Grady, who died on Tuesday at the age of 67, and the actress has revealed she spoke to the entertainer just hours before he passed away. Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid began: "You talked to Paul hours before you discovered that he'd died. What a terrible shock for you.

Actress Linda Thorson said her friend Paul O’Grady was “so happy” and “full of life” when she spoke to him hours before his death aged 67.The Avengers star, also known for being on the ITV soap Emmerdale, described the drag queen turned TV and radio presenter as a “king among men” who “really cared about me”. O’Grady, who began on the nightclub circuit as the acerbic, platinum wig-wearing Lily Savage, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening, his partner, Andre Portasio, said in a statement.Tributes have been flooding in for the comedian, including from the Queen Consort, Sir Elton John, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies and MPs.Thorson, who said she first met the presenter on early-morning show The Big Breakfast, told Good Morning Britain: “Paul rang me on Tuesday, the day before yesterday, at three o’clock and we spoke for an hour.

Susan Boyle has recalled her final meeting with her ‘great friend’ Paul O’Grady after his death aged 67. The Lily Savage and Blind Date star died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ on Tuesday, his husband Andre Portasio said in a statement. Tributes have since poured in for the For the Love of Dogs presenter from figures in the entertainment world, including Lorraine Kelly, while the royal family said they were ‘deeply saddened’ by his death.

A friend of the late Paul O'Grady has said that the TV star "died in his own bed" with husband Andre Portasio by his side. Paul's friends, fans and loved ones were left devastated on Tuesday as Andre announced that the legendary TV personality had died "unexpectedly but peacefully," aged 67.Tributes have poured in for Paul, as many of his friends have spoken out to express shock and grief at his death, as well as their adoration for him. The Avengers star Linda Thorson, who was a close friend of Paul, appeared on Good Morning Britain as she paid tribute to the late star, whilst also revealing the circumstances of his death.

Paul O'Grady 'died in his own bed' with his husband by his side, one of his close friends told Good Morning Britain. Avengers star Linda Thorson appeared on the ITV news programme on Thursday (March 30) to pay tribute to the comedian and TV star following his 'unexpected' death, aged 67, on Tuesday evening (March 28).